Opinion: The FMG (fashion mean girls) are the ones most removed from the industry

Okay, I said it. I think the FMG (fashion mean girls) aren’t actually in the fashion industry at all — they’re the ones most removed from it.

First, what do I mean by FMG “fashion mean girl”? I’m talking about people who look down upon others because of how they’re dressed. Common signs we’re dealing with a fmg include: calling people’s fashion tacky, ugly, or cheap in order to evoke a sense of collective disapproval. Flat out — it’s mean. Fashion is about identity. When you call someone tacky, it’s basically calling their identity tacky.

So, who in the fashion industry is out there taking shots at people’s identity? Outsiders. People who don’t understand fashion is about identity. I came across this tiktok that exemplified this behavior pretty well:

In the video, the woman begins by saying she knows nothing about fashion, then proceeds to describe a red dress with black heels as tacky. What causes this reaction about a fashion style from someone who claims to be so removed from it?

According to Moral Foundations Theory, humans operate on at least six systems of morality. One of these systems includes disgust and contamination. This reaction is used to defend against dirty or inappropriate contamination. Our moral reasoning extends that disgust onto people, groups, symbols, and even fashion to protect our moral communities (Haidt).

FMG (fashion mean girls) act upon style ideas they feel morally threatened by. The truth is, a style being “good” or “bad” is arbitrary. People attribute meaning through context. The woman’s conclusions are a reflection of her or her style tribe’s (group of people with distinctive collective style) ethos.

Those who are designers, fashion writers, stylists, etc. all understand fashion is about expressing identity. We love it because we are listeners. If you’re not a listener… being a FMG may come easily.